The final weekend of March, I was in Memphis, Tennessee for Major League Baseball's second annual Civil Rights Game at AutoZone Park. Last year, I was at the original game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Indians. This years contest was between the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox. We originated a broadcast meaning we did our own play-by-play for the game. I was housed on the on-field producer from the dugouts during the game and on the field for post-game.
In case anyone's curious we spoke with numerous guests either pre-game, during the game, or post-game. They are as follows: Hank Aaron, Sharon Robinson, Martin Luther King, III, Ozzie Guillen, Frank Robinson, Jimmie Lee Solomon, Harold Baines, Orlando Cabrera, Kenny Williams, Omar Minaya, and Jerry Manuel. We also taped with Jerry Reinsdorf and actress Robin Givens.
On Friday, I attended the Civil Rights Game Panel including New York Mets General Manager Omar Minaya, Chicago White Sox General Manager Ken Williams, Ambassador Shabazz (Malcolm X's daughter), Sharon Robinson (Jackie Robinson's Daugther), Martin Luther King III, Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, and actress Ruby Dee. The panel was held the National Civil Rights Museum. This is my second year covering this event. The purpose is to bring light of the lowering number of African-Americans playing baseball. I would highly encourage anyone take time to visit the Civil Rights Museum. For many of us born following the Civil Rights movement its an overwhelming experience to see pictures from a time when individuals were not all treated equal.The museum is attached to the hotel where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. I attended the event with two friends who grew up during this time. They were each touched immensely as they saw the sight of where MLK was killed. The museum has refurbished the room where MLK was staying as well as a room as it would have been before someone stayed. I took the following video of the areas:
The game was on Saturday evening, but with Opening Night on Sunday I hopped a plane and headed back to the nation's capital to cover the Washington Nationals open their new ball park (Nationals Park) against my beloved Atlanta Braves.
The picture is of the pre-game ceremony taken from our broadcast booth (the highest point in the stadium and also quite possibly the worst seat in the park). This was right before President Bush came out to throw the first pitch. The record it was 60-40 boos from the crowd. The new ballpark was quite a sight as the sell-out crowd watched a game they'll probably never forget. My Braves wore their new alternate jerseys which are navy. After the Braves tied the game at three in the top of the ninth inning, Ryan Zimmerman hit a walk-off home run to end the first game at Nationals Park. I was on the field as he hit the home run and standing behind home plate as the team mobbed him. Television always gets the first interview, so I stood in the dugout while ESPN interviewed him. If you were watching you would have noticed me unfortunately standing in their shot. I never want to be on camera, but on occasion it happens. Anyway as soon as ESPN finished, Zimmerman was on the air live with us at XM. We wrapped and I had the Nationals GM Jim Bowden on with our host and then it was time to find a cab and head home.
The season has begun. While it began badly for my Braves, I have all the faith in the world that this could be there year. Just like I do every year. That's the great joy of baseball. Its a 162 game season and one night can be quickly forgotten. Unless your a Nationals fan of course...
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